Topic: Skins (Read 10011 times)

Pudd · « **on:** June 12, 2012 »

I'm still struggling with the amount of sweat build up I have in my clothing system. The inner of my waterproof jacket (which I've still yet to replace) is struggling with condensation/sweat. It's as bad as it could ever be on the outside of the jacket in the rain. It really does get to the point where my inner clothes are saturated.

After reading Andy Kirkpatrick's blog about breathable waterproofs, and how they aren't going to be both. Read is here: http://www.andy-kirkpatrick.com/articles/view/the_truth_about_breathable_waterproofs

In the blog he mentions wearing a tight (or close fitting) top. Now, upon reading that I immediately thought those compression tops that CCC, Skins, those types of Company do.

My question is has anybody ever had any experience in using these compression tops to mitigate sweat build up?

RedLeader · « **Reply #1 on:** June 12, 2012 »

I would sweat quite a bit under exercise and I have never found a jacket that didn't leave me soaked in all weather, dry or wet. I'm guessing I sweat a bit too much for any breatheable fabric but I also think that it doesn't take much sweat to overpower any of the different types of membrane. Every year companies bring out more and more versions of the same sort of jacket to encourage you to upgrade and it's really all crap.

I do generally wear a tight long sleeved wicking baselayer and it does dry very quickly but the inside of the jacket (and fleece in cold weather) isn't easy at all to dry. I'll keep an eye incase you find a solution.

Pudd · « **Reply #2 on:** June 12, 2012 »

Well I am thinking about dramatically changing my upper layering system.

I'm thinking of the following:
CCC Hot Top
Rab MeCo 120 Tee
Haven't decided on a fleece just yet.
Mountain Equipment Firefox jacket

Which will replace my current system of:
Craghoppers Top
Tresspass Microfleece
Lowe Alpine Velocity jacket.

I'm just going by the recommendations that Andy Kirkpatrick mentioned in his blog, and was thinking of getting a third opinion on what does and does not work well with the forum.

I suppose it's a long time coming until I can try out my new system. However, I am thinking that the skin tight CCC top will make the most difference.

whoRya · « **Reply #3 on:** June 12, 2012 »

But isn't a CCC 'hot' top meant to help you create heat? I only wear one of those for playing sport in winter i.e. under a t shirt.

For walking:
In the spring/summer/autumn I wear a Rab Aeon t-shirt (synthetic), with a Paramo windshirt if it is a bit chilly with wind.

In the autumn/winter/spring it is mostly only a Rab Meco with a Paramo windshirt.

Any other layers are really only for camps and stops.

When it rains the waterproof coat has to go on of course, but don't forget you can still wear it over only a tshirt/base layer.

It works for me and I reckon I run fairly hot. I'm generally always cold when I start off. Frequently I start off with other walkers who are wearing waterproof coats and they're taking it off after a very short time.

Wicking base layers and windshirts are a fantastic combination for much of the weather we walk in.

Pudd · « **Reply #4 on:** June 12, 2012 »

Quote from: whoRya on June 12, 2012

But isn't a CCC 'hot' top meant to help you create heat? I only wear one of those for playing sport in winter i.e. under a t shirt.

Actually no, they are designed 'apparently' to keep you cool in the summer, and warm in the winter. There are two variants to suit. See here:

'designed to keep you cold in even the warmest temperatures'
http://shop.canterbury.com/product/canterbury-baselayer-hot-long-sleeve/36203/

'designed to keep you warm in even the coldest temperatures'
http://shop.canterbury.com/product/canterbury-cold-baselayer-ls-top/22292/

The only reason why I was ever considering these was because of: 'which uses the technology of moisture wicking transport system' & 'The top comes in a standard skin tight fit enhancing the body and controlling body temperature regulations making it perfect for all endurance, fast and slow sports.'

Of course this could be the marketing talk to get people to buy, and maybe I fell for it?

Oisín · « **Reply #5 on:** June 12, 2012 »

Okay, big topic. You could talk forever and a day weighing up the pros and cons of every type of fabric that is 100% guaranteed to save the world providing you buy it.

Reading Andy's article I sort of get the feel he is nearly shunning coats and looking at how we can nearly get away with them at times.

If I was to give you my opinion it would go something along the lines of this:

Do you really need the coat? Have you tried not using it?

Quote

my current system of:
Craghoppers Top
Tresspass Microfleece
Lowe Alpine Velocity jacket

Have you tried losing more heat?
I'm guessing you sweat around your upper half? (because you are looking at a new upper half system)
Have you tried losing heat through body points like hands, wrists, legs, feet?

All in all I'd suggest trying new combinations e.g. baselayer and coat, t-shirt and fleece before buying more stuff.
And if your really sweating it remember that your skin is the ultimate breathable layer, nothing wrong with walking with no shirt on

Pudd · « **Reply #6 on:** June 13, 2012 »

Quote from: Oisin on June 12, 2012

Okay, big topic. You could talk forever and a day weighing up the pros and cons of every type of fabric that is 100% guaranteed to save the world providing you buy it.

Reading Andy's article I sort of get the feel he is nearly shunning coats and looking at how we can nearly get away with them at times.

If I was to give you my opinion it would go something along the lines of this:

Do you really need the coat? Have you tried not using it?
Quote
my current system of:
Craghoppers Top
Tresspass Microfleece
Lowe Alpine Velocity jacket

Have you tried losing more heat?
I'm guessing you sweat around your upper half? (because you are looking at a new upper half system)
Have you tried losing heat through body points like hands, wrists, legs, feet?

All in all I'd suggest trying new combinations e.g. baselayer and coat, t-shirt and fleece before buying more stuff.
And if your really sweating it remember that your skin is the ultimate breathable layer, nothing wrong with walking with no shirt on

Definitely am looking at my upper half. It's the half that I have the problem with, or the half that I notice the problem with.

After reading the Andy's blog I did try his suggestions - keeping wrist cuffs open, keeping the jacket partially down. In regards to legs and feet there's little you can do to minimise anything to do with your upper half considering there is a big choke there - the hip belt. So that's going to stop any cool air coming up, taking the warm air with it and out. Though, a main consideration for buying the Firefox jacket is due to it's pit zips, another location that cool air can penetrate, and lift out the warm, stale air.

When you ask 'Do I need the coat'. Well in terms of if I wear it in wet weather and be dry on the inside and not the outside (the primary function of the jacket), well no. Simply because I might as well not wear it at all regarding how wet I become on the inside.

Since reading his blog I've taken on his advice big time regarding if you add a layer i.e. jacket, you should remove a layer to keep the internal temperature level to reduce sweat. Yes, the advice does help, but once things get going after a while I end back at square one which leads me to believe the jacket is a primary consideration to replace.

I suppose walking with no shirt on but with the jacket is an idea (if that's what you're getting at), I will have to try it. However I can't see me maintaining it simply because I'm not comfortable with skin sticking to the inside of the jacket. But primarily for testing purposes then, that's a good idea. I think it will boil down to the fact that the jacket isn't as breathable as it could be.

One of the things I have been looking to replace any way is the jacket as for sometime it was used as my 'go about town' jacket. Therefore it has been used and abused. No harm in buying more expensive walking gear, is there?

Oh by the way Oisin, have all of the tutors left for their summer holidays, or are they still around campus?

twentyclicks · « **Reply #7 on:** June 13, 2012 »

I would suggest always wearing a base layer under a jacket for comfort and to keep oil and salt off the jacket membrane.
What Oisin says about the bottom half is more about losing heat through the skin than air flow. Blood transports heat around the body and the legs have good surface area. Also the big thigh muscles are producing a good bit of heat so most efficient to lose it at the source. Shorts or thigh vents work well.

Top half, if you are sweating fleece should only be for rest stops. Like whoRya I mostly only wear a base layer and add a wind top if getting chilled. If I am moving on and it's not winter this is comfortable even in the rain as it all quickly dries or I can put on a dry top at camp. If you need to stay dry a jacket is a must and sometimes you have to control your effort to reduce sweating in that case. I've had clothes get severely damp in a jacket but never 100% saturated like in heavy rain.

My montane venture is event and I find it very good. Or perhaps look at paramo as a different system.. if you are going to change everything, more of the same may not be a good investigation.

Go slower or lighter.

Oisín · « **Reply #8 on:** June 13, 2012 »

Quote

What Oisin says about the bottom half is more about losing heat through the skin than air flow.

There's what I was trying to say.

Quote

have all of the tutors left for their summer holidays, or are they still around campus?

Still there as far as I know, I'm only in occasionally because I've all my work done, but semester doesn't end until the end of the month.

Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

Useful Links

Follow NI-Wild

Author Topic: Skins (Read 10011 times)

Pudd

Skins

RedLeader

Re: Skins

Pudd

Re: Skins

whoRya

Re: Skins

Pudd

Re: Skins

Oisín

Re: Skins

Pudd

Re: Skins

twentyclicks

Re: Skins

Oisín

Re: Skins

Bottom Sponsor

Recent Topics